Sprinklers in a downtown residential parking garage held a car fire in check until fire crews could arrive. The car had significant fire damage to the engine and dashboard areas; but there was minimal damage to the building. The fire occurred at 3:52 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, in the 300 block of 108th Avenue Northeast.

Three fire protection sprinkler heads activated, flowing enough water to confine the fire to the car. Two adjacent cars had no damage, despite being less than two feet from the burning car. Residents in the building evacuated when the fire alarm sounded.

Water from the activated sprinklers began running off to other areas of the parking garage. Defective floor drains permitted water to flow to lower levels of the garage and caused some minor water damage in a business within the same building. Fire crews were able to shut off the flowing sprinklers and worked to minimize water damage to the rest of the building.

Bellevue fire investigators conducted an investigation at the scene and determined the fire originated in the vehicle engine compartment. The actual cause remains undetermined.

Multiple fire resources responded, but the incident was quickly scaled back to just two engines, one truck and a battalion chief.

This type of building is typically referred to as a mixed-use occupancy. It has a combination of retail business and residential living.